Here is my version of jig I had seen recently from another thread. My modification was the multiple hole end plates so I can adjust the clamps if needed for different diameter pieces of wood. Gives me a little bit better grip on taller piece. I used harbor freight pipe clamps(3/4"). The entire jig is clamped down to the bed of the mill with 4 small bar clamps. First trial run was yesterday and it worked great. I have a few wedding cookies and display slices to cut.
One question is does anyone use a specific type of blade for slices to the best surface or just use your standard saw blades?
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/41739/20181005_110235.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1538836294)
Pretty clever and adaptable to different diameters. How high will it cut and still hold the log? Your design allows for adding a diagonal support to securely hold longer logs vertically if necessary.
One of my test pieces was maybe 8in diameter and 20in tall and it was held pretty solid. Current setup allows me to cut down to 6 inches from bed because of clamps. Larger diameter pieces should be more stable. I am using my standard timberwolf 10deg blades. I have one sample 4deg blade but have not used it on anything yet.
Nice jig and good pic! But save your 4° blade for some really hard wood.
I saw a posting on Nextdoor Neighborhood for cutting some wood. The lady was looking for someone to cut up some oak logs they had into 12" to 18" spheres ??? So I responded with "I think you mean disks like a plate and not like a ball". She agreed. We talked (texted) for a while and I mentioned I had some cedar. She really wanted the cedar. I had a 4" branch and I cut some round cookies and some oval to take over and show her the different options. She needed 25 cookies. She decided to get 20 round for the round tables and 5 ovals for the head table.
So, now I needed to figure out a way to make them. I found this thread and decided to copy your clamping setup. Here is what I came up with:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30640/20190814_a.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1565905892)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30640/20190814_b.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1565905894)
I made a clamp bar out of a 4x6 with a semicircle cutout to hep grip the log. Worked pretty good. I also made a pair of smaller ones to grip branches but didn't try those out yet.
I ended up making 26 round, 6 oval and two extra thick rounds for cake/food plates out of the bottom slices. Inside the bark, they were 14"-16". She really liked the bark (up to 2", very deep valleys) and wanted it to stay. I cut them yesterday and they are for Saturday. I told her to keep them in a cool place out of drafts and to handle them VERY gently. I made a few for myself and popped the bark off to show her. She like that as well but is hoping the bark will last. Made $150 for about 45 minutes work on a short log that would have made a bench or two. I know, I let them go cheap (less than $4.50 a cookie), but they weren't perfect, either.
I added a short weld nib on the pipe clamp to bite into the log. I did one that let go and broke the band. I like the cut out clamping better as it has more holding power. I did a 24 inch one I believe. but it was shaking a bit.
looks really good. i also will drive a few screws in to make sure it does not eject, just below the last level I plan to cut.
I should've made my Jr's shed a little bigger because I need a jig like that, thanks for the post..
Nice job on your jig. I like that semi circle clamp method for more holding power. I attached some of the truss nailing plates to the inside surface of my 3x4 base clamp for more holding power but they are getting bent over. I will revise mine more toward yours in the future. I have not yet had one come loose but a few vibrated more than I like to see.
That is genius! Thank you for sharing it as I have been brainstorming the best way to accomplish this!
The one I made allowed the log to bounce to much. I like the arch clamp more than the bar clamp end I used.